Wills Archives - Page 24 of 35

LGBTQ+ Estate Planning to Protect You and Your Loved Ones by Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen

Liz Nielsen / June 14, 2022

For LGBTQ+ Americans, estate planning can be even more important. Despite same-sex marriages being legally recognized since 2015, couples composed of sexual and gender minorities still face estate planning challenges not encountered by other “traditional” same-sex couples. Issues such as unaccepting family members, child adoption by nonbiological parents, and LGBTQ+ couples living together unmarried underscore the […]

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Remember to Update your Estate Plan After Divorce by Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen

Liz Nielsen / June 10, 2022

The divorce process can be long and expensive. Getting the final decree is the end of one big effort, which probably felt exhausting. Yet, the work doesn’t end once the divorce decree is signed. Once you have gotten divorced, it’s prudent to update your estate plan. More Work After Divorce? Why Bother? A divorce has a […]

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Are Payable-On-Death Accounts Right For You? from Austin Estate Planning Lawyer Liz Nielsen

Liz Nielsen / June 7, 2022

A payable-on-death account, also called a POD account or sometimes a transfer-on-death (TOD) account, is a common way to keep bank and investment accounts out of probate, the court-supervised process that oversees distributing a deceased person’s property. Most people want to avoid their estate going through probate because their heirs will receive the inheritance faster, privately, […]

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Don’t Have a Lot of Money? Here Are Seven Ways You Can Still Leave Your Family a Great Legacy From Austin Estate Planning Lawyer Liz Nielsen

Liz Nielsen / May 27, 2022

Although the word “inheritance” usually conjures up images of property or accounts with significant monetary value, you can leave your family an even longer-lasting inheritance by doing these seven things, even if you don’t have a lot of money. Make a Plan Often, people who do not have a lot of money think that it is […]

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When Rock Legends Pass Away: The Possible Fates of Meat Loaf’s $40 Million Estate From Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen

Liz Nielsen / May 24, 2022

Meat Loaf, whose real name was Michael Lee Aday, passed away earlier this year at the age of seventy-four. The singer behind 1977’s Bat Out of Hell—one of the best-selling albums of all time—experienced ups and downs befitting his larger-than-life persona. He hit bottom with his 1983 bankruptcy but rode a 1990s career rebirth to newfound […]

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Financial Exploitation: Dutiful Child or Manipulator of Older Adults? From Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen

Liz Nielsen / May 20, 2022

As parents age and their physical and mental capacities diminish, it is natural for their adult children (recognizing the parents’ decreasing ability to care for themselves) to step in and help them. Often, a specific child will take over the bulk of the responsibilities, such as taking the parent to doctor’s appointments or the attorney’s office. […]

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Encanto and Estate Planning Lessons From Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen

Liz Nielsen / May 17, 2022

Not only is Disney’s award-winning animated film Encanto hugely entertaining, it also contains the following valuable estate planning lessons: Leaving a family legacy is important and can have an impact beyond your immediate family. Be sure to consider the significance of multigenerational planning. Treating each beneficiary as a unique person is essential. Naming the “strongest” child […]

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Make Sure Your Kids Are Prepared with This Summer Camp Checklist From Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen

Liz Nielsen / May 13, 2022

After two years, summer camps are expected to be back in full swing this year after the pandemic forced them to close or operate at limited capacity. Camp is a great opportunity for kids to make new friends, try new activities, and gain self-confidence and resilience. But as parents and counselors know, a lot of preparation […]